Architecture Society Seeks Role In FCT Environment-related Matters

Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has appealed to the federal government to employ Landscape Architects in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that are directly involved with the Nigerian Environment.

SLAN is a body affiliated to the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), with a membership of 77 associations in Africa, America, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, and it is one of five African countries recognised as a Landscape Architecture body.

The local organising committee chairman of SLAN, Amos Alao, explained that they were seeking inclusion in matters that relate to the designing of parks, playgrounds, and beautification of all sorts of outdoor spaces by the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Environment, and Abuja Development Control amongst others.

“Provision of a detailed plan for conservation and restoration projects. Preparation of detailed Ecological site analysis, Environmental impact analysis report, feasibility Environmental impact, and cost studies. Design streetscapes, boulevards, highway Beautification, and Transportation scenery for commuters.

“Design residential, commercial, recreational soft and hard landscapes. Design healing and therapeutic landscapes. Watershed development and River basin development.

“We also seek to have more Landscape Architecture programs in our tertiary institutions and the re-introduction of Green Clubs in our Secondary and Primary Schools,” he said.

The director of Development Control, who was represented by the deputy director, Hauwa Hassan commended the Society for her efforts in ameliorating climate change.

She said there had been constant collaboration with the Department to seek better ways to include greening into development at different levels.

Hassan reiterated the need for the public to understand the adverse effects of not greening the environment and the need to have proper landscape architectural plans and designs that can help forestall the impact of climate change, not just in the FCT, but in Nigeria.